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5 Perfect Activities With Flashcards - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Flashcards on its own is an easy method to apply when teaching beginners, teenagers even adults because they can match the words to the pictures and it's an easy way to remember new vocabulary. I think this is the best way of acquiring a new word of a second language because identification and recognition is the key.
1. Ask, Guess and Answer
Materials:
2. Display Flashcards on the Floor
Materials:
3 From Here to There
Materials:
4. Rhyme Concentration
Materials:
5. Puzzling Words
Materials:
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sombong V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The whole class can take... [Read more]
Best Ways to Teach New Vocabulary to Young Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
One of the things of the English language that can make English hard to get to grips with. Vocabulary knowledge is highly correlated with reading comprehension and reading achievement. Vocabulary is required for students to achieve cognitive academic language proficiency. All good reasons to make sure that your vocabulary teaching is interesting, useful and effective.
The Good Ways To Teach Vocabulary
Set achievable goals
What should we give to students with a new vocabulary
What the right FCs are
When teaching FCs for young learners, I follow these steps
These are some activities I often use when teaching with FCs:
1. Charades
2. Picture word match race
3. Flash the card
4. Pass the flashcard
5. Flashcards Station
Do you want to teach English abroad?... [Read more]
Simple Flashcard Activities to Have Fun During the Class - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Throughout this course, my favorite units have been the ones that teach us how to lead an effective lesson and have a fun classroom environment. I love all the suggestions and teaching ideas they give, and it excites me to think about using those for my future lessons. For that reason, I chose the topic of five activities with flashcards. This essay will be a perfect opportunity for me to delve further into my favorite part of this class and plan some fun things to do. When I move abroad I plan on teaching young children, mainly kindergarten-aged, so my five activities will be geared towards young learners. They need way more energy, fun, and excitement in their lessons than teenage or adult learners because their attention spans are so short, so I tried to... [Read more]
The Most Distinct Differences between American and British English - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
When it comes to learning English, non-native speakers can feel quite torn on whether they should learn British English or American English. They have their similarities, but can contrast each other strongly. The differences can be confusing for English speakers as well. The diversity in spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary can really throw you off. In this article, I will be focusing on these three topics. Let's explore spelling, shall we?
Important Spelling Differences
Differences in Word Choice
Same Word - Different Pronunciation
Other Things to Consider
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tabitha C.
Growing up in the USA, I learned to spell in... [Read more]
4 Positive Ways to Motivate Students in the Kindergarten Classroom - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
How to motivate and keep the students interested in learning the English language?
1. Make Class Communicative:
2. Make Class Fun:
3. Forge Relationships:
4. Give Feedback:
Do you want to teach English in kindergarten?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Richard B.
To teach at the Kindergarten level the teacher has to be mindful of keeping students' attention and maintaining order. It is important to have structure and routines. To ensure the students are comfortable, happy and engaged while learning and practicing English there needs to be a balance between patients and strictness. To keep their attention, it is good to enlist fun little games to help maintain order in the class. It is... [Read more]
Peculiarities of The English Language - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I did not realize how difficult English is until I became fluent in Spanish. I am currently studying French and I am pretty good at French. I have a basic knowledge of Esperanto.
English is difficult for several reasons
English is not a phonetic language
There are exceptions to every rule
Some examples of other exceptions to English rules
Pronunciation
Are you ready to teach English all over the world?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Wayne K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
I will just touch on each of these since a book could be written about each of these.
Also Read: Teaching Young Learners vs. Adult Learners - The... [Read more]
The Most Common Problems Students in South Korea Face When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Destinations Alumni Experiences
Korean learners of the English language face numerous challenges in acquiring the language on a proficient level, although English is introduced to children at an early age. English is incorporated into the primary school curriculum from the age of four, yet only a small minority master the language on a proficient conversational level. Unfortunately, the reasons seem to stem from cultural and social differences, the significant differences between the two languages; Korean and English, and the Korean Educational System is also a contributing factor.
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Problems Relating to Cultural Differences
Problems Relating to the Different Phonetic and Grammar Systems
Problems with English Education in the Korean School System... [Read more]
Phonetics: How can Phonemic Awareness Facilitate Effective Reading? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Phonemics according to the Merriam Webster dictionary is a branch of linguistic analysis that consists of the study of phonemes. In other words, it could be explained as the study of the sound system of a given language and the analysis and classification of its phonemes. Phonemics awareness, on the other hand, is the ability to examine language independently to its meaning and to manipulate its component sound[1].
Difference between phonemes and phonics
Universal way of acquiring a language
Why phonemes are important?
Correlation between phonemic awareness and spelling ability
Teachers' Role
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lystra H. Please note that... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Figuratively Vs Literally English Grammar Teaching Tips - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
This video covers the difference between 'figuratively' and 'literally'. Even native speakers commonly confuse these two words. The word 'figuratively' is used when talking about something metaphorically. 'Literally', on the other hand is used for things that are real or really happen. Watch the video for detailed examples on the two words.
Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next.
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In this unit I learned... [Read more]
British vs. American: Which English Accent to Choose? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
British English versus American English always sparks a lively discussion. I have read some articles so far as to compare these 2 languages and gather the information from the online resources.
Personal experience
The history of English
Vocabulary challenge
Teaching implications and classroom problems
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zahra J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
I am Iranian and have many American and British friends and I have been living abroad for about 6 years. As an English speaker as a second language, it took me a while to learn what is British and what is American English.... [Read more]
How Important is the Difference Between American English and British English for EFL Learners? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
This summative essay will exam the importance of teaching the differences between American English and British English for EFL learners. I will examine the intention behind teaching these differences, and when these teachings should be applied, and to what effect and purpose. This essay will focus primarily on the problems of pronunciation and spelling, which are the two main differences. I am a British citizen, born and raised in London, England, and currently teach at a public high school in Tokyo.
Spelling
Challenges for Beginners and Intermediate Learners
What do Students Think?
Grammar
Interesting Experience for Adults
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Pronunciation And Phonology/intonation - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Whereas stress is typically concerned with one individual word, intonation is generally concerned with the variation in volume and pitch throughout an entire sentence. Intonation carries the message of a sentence. It's particularly important when questioning or agreeing, disagreeing and confirming statements. It's also very important when expressing emotions and feelings. The normal pattern for intonation is the rise-fall. Few examples would be ?I haven't seen him for a week,? or a simple word as ?okay?. With the falling intonation, we?re indicating that we're finished speaking. Again, ?I haven't seen him for a week? and ?okay?. A few more examples would be ?I'll see you at six then,? or a question of information ?How do you spell rough?? These are straightforward statements that... [Read more]
TEFL Alumni Interview with Elleda Spitzer - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Alumni Experiences TEFL Reviews & TESOL Reviews
For ITTT, our community of students and alumni is the most important to us. That's why we'd love to share what our course grads have to say! This will not only have others make a better decision in whether TEFL/TESOL is for them, but it will also help the ITTT community grow bigger and stronger!
1. What's your name?
2. Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
3. Which ITTT course(s) did you take?
4. Why did you take a TEFL/TESOL course from ITTT?
5. What was your favorite part about the course?
6. You've finished your TEFL/TESOL course - now what? What are your plans and goals?
7. What's your no. 1 tip for other TEFL/TESOL course takers? What should they know? What do you wish you knew before?
8. Where would you... [Read more]
7 Useful Tips on Teaching Beginner Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching beginner students is a very challenging task for anyone. Personally, I have always found teaching English to beginners as a tough prospect, whether it is monolingual group and you know nothing of their language or it's a multilingual group and the only common language is English. However, with some work and knowledge, everything is possible to teach beginners the English language. And I believe this is one of the most rewarding to teach.
1. Give simple and clear instructions
2. Let them listen first
3. Speak English only and don't use their own mother tongue
4. Teach the basics
5. Drilling and Repeating
6. Make every English lessons fun and easy
7. Prepare well and save a lot
Are you ready to teach beginners abroad?
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Listen to... [Read more]
How to Teach Reading to Young ESL Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
As a part of receptive skills, reading is so important that children start to read both English and Chinese books at the very beginning of their lives. Reading is a beneficial way to learn English well, especially for young learners. They can accumulate more and more vocabulary as well as the way native speakers communicate with each other by reading various kinds of books. As we all know reading a good book just like talking with a great author.
Personal Teaching Experience
Reading Techniques
Parents' Help
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Xiangnan G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Here I... [Read more]
TEFL Alumni Interview with Juandri - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Alumni Experiences TEFL Reviews & TESOL Reviews
For ITTT, our community of students and alumni is the most important to us. That's why we'd love to share what our course grads have to say! This will not only have others make a better decision in whether TEFL/TESOL is for them, but it will also help the ITTT community grow bigger and stronger!
1. What's your name?
2. Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
3. Which ITTT course(s) did you take?
4. Why did you take a TEFL/TESOL course from ITTT?
5. What was your favorite part about the course?
6. You've finished your TEFL/TESOL course - now what? What are your plans and goals?
7. What's your no. 1 tip for other TEFL/TESOL course takers? What should they know? What do you wish you knew before?
8. Where would you... [Read more]
TEFL Alumni Interview with Blanca Rodriguez - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Alumni Experiences TEFL Reviews & TESOL Reviews
For ITTT, our community of students and alumni is the most important to us. That's why we'd love to share what our course grads have to say! This will not only have others make a better decision in whether TEFL/TESOL is for them, but it will also help the ITTT community grow bigger and stronger!
1. What's your name?
2. Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
3. Which ITTT course(s) did you take?
4. Why did you take a TEFL/TESOL course from ITTT?
5. What was your favorite part about the course?
6. You've finished your TEFL/TESOL course - now what? What are your plans and goals?
7. What's your no. 1 tip for other TEFL/TESOL course takers? What should they know? What do you wish you knew before?
8. Where would you... [Read more]
Silent Letters when Speaking English - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
When practicing speaking English it can be confusing for language learners to find that certain words have a silent letter that shouldn’t be used. Here we look at some of the most common examples.
When teaching English to non-native speakers the presence of silent letters can be a cause of great confusion among students and teachers alike. For the learner it can be frustrating to find that the written form of the word they have just mastered is actually spoken without using all the letters. There are a few basic rules when it comes to silent letters, but as is usually the case with English, there are often exceptions.
Silent (B) Rule 1: The letter B is usually not pronounced after M at the end of a word e.g. comb, bomb,... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Pronunciation And Phonology/phonetic Alphabet Issues - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
There are two issues that need to be stressed when working with the international phonemic alphabet. First is the fact that we are no longer concerned with how a word is traditionally spelled. Additionally we need to stress that we are only concerned with the sounds needed to correctly produce a word. So rather than numerous spellings, which can often be pronounced in different ways, we have one symbol representing one sound. Once we can isolate a sound, rather than juggling various spellings, we can work with our students on how to say that sound. Doing that successfully is related to manner and place of articulation, which will be covered shortly. To get a better understanding of the phonemic alphabet, let's take a look at our chart. In the bottom half of our chart we have our... [Read more]
Last posts written by Mark
After leaving the UK to travel in the mid-1990s, Mark has to date visited over 50 countries across six continents. After completing a TEFL course in Phuket, Thailand, he decided to make it his base and has since worked as an online TEFL trainer and a freelance writer.
Mark Crocker
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
Teaching online offers a great deal of freedom and flexibility that many teachers find refreshing in comparison to a regular in-class job. ✅ However, it can also be a tough environment to work in if you approach it in the wrong way. Take a look at these simple tips for maintaining motivation when teaching English online.Are you teaching English online and finding it difficult to stay motivated? Take a look at our simple tips to help you stay at the top of your game.
Mark... [Read more]
How Teaching in China Influenced me as a TEFL Specialist - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
I, as an out of school English teacher, have been teaching English in China for about one year. My students are coming from elementary schools or middle schools. The teaching is one to one. The background and personality of my students are various. Some students are very interested in learning English and want to take extra courses to improve their English proficiency.
Students' Struggles
English Speaking Environment
Forceful Learning vs. Personal Approach
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nan W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Some students feel having more challenges in grammar,... [Read more]
The Good and Bad of Course Materials - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
There are many interactive tools that can be used during teaching to enhance a lesson and keep students engaged. There are also a few tools that are a teacher's lifeline during a lesson. Course materials that range from props and pictures of vocabulary words to simple worksheets and lesson plans are integral to teaching a good lesson. They can provide basic aid to a teacher or help keep the students' attention. But, when overused or used during the wrong times, course materials can become problematic and disadvantageous. Different things that a teacher brings to a lesson can make or break an ESL lesson.
Important Course Materials
The Use of Props
The Downside of Using Course Materials
Listen to this blog post
Are you ready to teach... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Less Vs Fewer English Grammar Teaching Tips - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Here we look at the difference between "less" and "fewer". This set of words is often used incorrectly and we decided to take a closer look at the difference to help you avoid mistakes. The key difference is that the word "less" is used to refer to uncountable things while "fewer" is used to refer to countable things. Keeping this in mind will help you figure out which word to use in all situations. Remember the '10 items or less' line at the supermarket" Well, it's actually a mistake. If you are purchasing several items then these items are countable, which means the checkout should be called the ?10 items or fewer" line. Other examples of the difference between the two words are "I have been to fewer countries than you" (countable),"I have less money than you" (uncountable).... [Read more]
Does TEFL look good on a resume? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
A TEFL certification and experience teaching English abroad significantly elevate a resume. Not only does it demonstrate valuable skills such as adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and global perspective, but it also sets you apart in a competitive job market. Living and working overseas underscores resilience, initiative, and an embrace of diverse environments. In today's crowded job landscape, where qualifications are abundant, an overseas teaching stint can be a distinguishing factor, potentially tipping the scales in your favor during the recruitment process. The unique advantages of a TEFL experience on your CV/resume are manifold.
International Work Experience
Communication Skills
Versatility
Leadership and Public Speaking
Creativity and Problem Solving
An Adventure to Talk... [Read more]
6 Teaching Skills to Support Your Students Learning Process - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
It's my dream to be a teacher since I was a little girl. It's so lucky, I became an English teacher after I graduated from school. I like my job, I always prepared a lot before my class, such as materials, flashcards, teaching plan and so on. Because I hope my students will enjoy my class and gain knowledge through my class.
1. Attitude
2. Sense of Humor
3. Lesson Structure
4. Teaching Approach
5. Games and Activities
6. Encouragement
Are you ready to teach ESL students abroad?
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I heard that a good teacher must be a good actor. I really impressed by this sentence, it always reminds me, no matter how tired you are and how sad you are, once you enter in the classroom, you must be full of energetic and keep a... [Read more]
TEFL terms explained ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
As with most professions the world of Teaching English as a Foreign Language has many of its own particular and sometimes peculiar terms and jargon. Getting to grips with the wide array of acronyms in the industry can sometimes feel like learning a whole new language!
So if you have trouble telling the difference between your IWB (Interactive Whiteboard) and your OHP (Overhead Projector), this infographic is a great guide to what’s what in the English language teaching industry. Two of the most commonly used phrases in English teaching, and two that cause most confusion are TEFL and TESOL. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL means Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Another term, TESL, means Teaching English as a Second Language. TESL is... [Read more]
3 Essential Reasons for Establishing Rapport in the EFL CLassroom - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
Whether teaching English or teaching Mathematics, it is always important for teachers to establish rapport in their classroom. Rapport means a good relationship in which those concerned can communicate well with each other and understand each other's ideas. Not only is it important for a teacher to build a relationship with their students, but it is also important to create opportunities in the classroom where students can build relationships with each other. Establishing rapport is important because it will help the teacher manage the classroom effectively, it will allow the students to learn and grow together, and it will allow teachers to grow in their teaching abilities.
Establishing rapport helps you to effectively manage your classroom
Establishing... [Read more]
Secrets of Teaching Beginners - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Being an educator is one of the most gratifying and rewarding careers of all time. I have been an ESL teacher in Vietnam for the past six months. I have worked with various age groups and I prefer working with young or beginner students. I believe that it takes a special person to teach these young children.
Who Can Teach Beginning Students?
Start of Your Course
Provide With Visual Clues
Engagement Stage
Study Stage
Activate Stage
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ahmed T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
As a teacher of young learners, you should have an absolute passion for teaching as well... [Read more]
5 Ways How Teacher Can Benefit From Teaching a Large Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How people living in extended families cannot choose whether it is good or bad to live with that many people, teaching and learning in a large class are equally controversial. However, there are just a few disadvantages as opposed to countless advantages to be taught in a large class for students.
1. Communication
2. Seating Arrangement
3. Chances to Observe
4. Choice of Activities
5. Excitement
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nalan F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
First of all, stress is a hindering factor in learning especially in an ESL class. The more stress a learner feels, the... [Read more]
TEFL Breakdown - What Subjects Will Your TEFL Course Cover? - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
TEFL Information
Whether you choose an online format or an in-class option for your TEFL certification course, the overall goal is to provide you with all the skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective teacher in your post-course classroom. But what exactly are the skills and knowledge you will learn? While the exact content may vary from course to course, here we break down some of the general topics that you are likely to study.
The Role of the Teacher
Classroom Management
Lesson Planning
Teaching Strategies
Pronunciation
Testing
Listen to this blog post
Now that you know what a TEFL course involves, what are you waiting for?
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Also Read: Online or In-Class - Which TEFL Course Should You Take?
What is the role of the teacher in a modern English... [Read more]